‘Need not ban plastic’ - The Star Metro Perak

28 June 2016 by Manjit Kaur

THE Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) has urged the Perak state government to educate the public on waste management and anti-littering instead of banning the use of plastic bags and polystyrene containers.

Its president Datuk Lim Kok Boon said similar to developed countries, the focus should be on the 3Rs - reduce, reuse and recycle.

He added that the association would state its concerns about the ban and the alternatives available to the Perak government.

Neither plastic bags nor polystyrene products were a problem, he said, but became a problem and nuisance only when they were littered indiscriminately.

Lim said therefore the government should have awareness programmes, similar to the Japanese who started an anti-littering programme before having a waste management solution.

“The public and supermarket operators must be educated to reduce the number of plastic bags used. If the products can be packed into three plastic bags, why the need for five bags?

“The second part, will be to reuse, which 80% of the people are already practising by using bags as garbage liners, with the third section being the recycling of plastic bags, bottles and other products.

“This is an efficient way because even if plastic bags are banned, at the end of the day, people will still need them to throw away rubbish,” he told reporters after the opening of a forum by state executive councillor Datuk Rusnah Kassim last Tuesday.

Titled “The Impact of Plastics on the Sustainability of Environment: Should Plastics be Banned?, the forum, organised by Ipoh City Watch, was held in view of the state government’s decision to ban plastic bags and polystyrene containers beginning June next year.

Lim added that the normal misconception of plastics is that the product did not degrade, and therefore it is not good for the environment.

He said studies have shown that even biodegradable products, which are hailed to be more environmental friendly, did not degrade in landfills due to its unfavourable environment.

“Degradation in the presence of oxygen emits carbon dioxide, while degradation in the absence of oxygen (typically in landfills) emits methane, and both gases are potent greenhouse gases which contribute to global warming.

“Methane gas is 22 times more harmful than carbon dioxide, and therefore people don’t understand, when you degrade, you cause global warming.

“The Environment Protection Agency of America, and the Australian Department of Environment, says that most things which goes into a landfill does not degrade, and if it degrades, it will cause global warming,” he said.

Malaysian Plastics Forum’s Education and Awareness chairman Ahmad Khairuddin Sha’aban said there was no landfills in Italy, Switzerland and Austria as the countries practised a policy of closed economy - meaning that anything from food to plastics were recycled.

Ahmad Khairuddin said food in those countries were compost, while plastics were recycled into furniture, or into energy.

“Japan started with its anti-littering campaign, followed by waste separation, and now about 90% of the waste is recycled.

“There, the government has not banned plastic bags or polystyrene as their citizens are disciplined enough not to litter,” he said, adding that Malaysians too had developed the culture of reusing plastic bags as garbage liners.

Rusnah told reporters that the state government would reconsider the decision to ban the use of plastic bags and polystyrene containers if MPMA’s proposal was convincing.

“It takes between 500 and 1,000 years for plastics to degrade, and we cannot leave such a problem for the next generation to witness.

“Even if you tell people to reduce the use of plastic bags they will not listen, so we need concrete solutions to overcome the problem,” she said, adding that she was not convinced yet with the proposal.

Ireland, Wales and Scotland governments, she said, had imposed a levy for each plastic bag used.

“So instead of a ban, maybe the association can suggest a tax be imposed,” she added.

Forum On Plastics - Ipoh Echo

1st July 2016 by Nantini

A public forum titled, "The Impact of Plastics on the Sustainability of Environment: Should Plastics be Banned?" jointly organised by Ipoh City Watch (ICW) and Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) was held on Tuesday, June 21 at WEIL Hotel, Ipoh.

The Perak state government has announced that plastics, especially polystyrenes will be banned statewide effective June 1, 2017. Ipoh City Council was among the first local council to respond by barring plastics from its canteen every Friday beginning June 1, 2016.

The objective of the forum was for the public to listen to the differing views on the subject matter and to make their concerns known.

The panellists were Associate Professor Dr Richard Ng, President of ICW, Fatimah Ahmad, Director of Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) Perak, Dato’ Lim Kok Boon, President of MPMA and Ipoh City Council’s City Planning Director, Zulqarnain Mohammad.

The event was officiated by the State Executive Councillor for Women, Family and Community Welfare Development, Housing and Local Government, Dato’ Hajah Rusnah binti Kassim.

Lim insisted that any containers or packages made out of plastic, paper or any other materials would not pollute the environment if they were used for their intended purposes. However, the items would become an eyesore when they are being disposed indiscriminately.

According to Lim, MPMA has always been advocating the 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle) mantra as most plastics can be recycled. It is for this reason that plastics need to be separated from mainstream waste so that they can be recycled into other useful products.

“The introduction of the waste separation source (SAS) initiative by SWCorp calls for the public to separate their recyclables from non-recyclables so as to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills. Thus, when handled responsibly, plastics do not cause waste management issues, just like other recyclables,” Lim stressed.

“I’ll challenge them to come up with a convincing proposal to reduce the usage of plastic bags without imposing a levy. If the proposal is logical and acceptable, we can reconsider the decision,” said Dato’ Rusnah.

Fatimah of SWCorp had this to say; “Let's start with the first R, which is “reduce” followed by “reuse” and then “recycle”. By reducing your consumption, you’ll also reduce the amount of waste you produce. The three Rs are really the best waste management with “reduce” being the most important strategy.”

According to Zulqarnain, plastic chemicals from food packs leech into food and end up in our bodies causing potential health problems. Thus the usage of plastics should be treated with caution. 

“I encourage the public to use glass or stainless-steel bottles, reusable or biodegradable bags. Stop using plastic cutleries and start recycling whatever and whenever you can,” he posited.

Dr Richard Ng concurred with the action of the state government and Ipoh City Council. “We at ICW support the Perak government’s and Ipoh City Council’s decision to ban plastic bags and polystyrene containers although the majority prefer to take a middle path. This is to give the plastic industry a chance to come up with a proposal on how they can help recycle and reduce polystyrene and plastic bags from going into landfills and the oceans.”

Forum on "The impact of Plastics on the Sustainability of Environment: Should Plastics be Banned?

June 18, 2016

The Perak State government has announced that plastics especially Polystyrene will be banned from 1st June 2017. But this will be done in stages starting from 1st June 2016 where the use of plastics will be banned on certain day of the week in all our government agencies and local council.

Ipoh City Council was among the very first local council to announce the banning of plastics at all its canteen on every Friday beginning 1st June 2016.

At Ipoh City Watch (ICW), we are concerned about the impact of plastics on our environment and wellness. Thus we welcome the move by the Perak State government. Johore and Penang are the other states in Malaysia that have taken such measures.

Plastics generally contributes about 15% of the total garbage that goes to the landfill. To reduce this, ICW has started the recycling campaign in Ipoh to encourage Ipohites to separate their garbage and to practice recycling.

However, the Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (Perak Branch) committee members met with ICW and KOHIJAU as well representative of Perak SWCorp to provide their opinions about the banning of plastics.

Thus a forum has been mooted to give the public an opportunity to listen to the various views. 4 panel speakers have been invited to speak during the forum. They are;

a.       Prof. Madya Dr. Richard Ng, Pengerusi Ipoh City Watch

b.      Puan Hjh Fatimah Ahmad, Pengarah SWCorp Perak

c.       Datuk Lim Kok Boon, Presiden, Persatuan Pekilang Plastik Malaysia

d.      En. Zulqarnain Bin Mohamed, Pengarah Perancangan Bandar, MBI

Details of the forum are as follows:

Date: 21 June 2016
Time: 2pm to 5.30pm
Venue: Weil Hotel, Ipoh, Perak

The forum is open to public. Entrance is FOC. All environment lovers and stakeholders are invited to attend.

Perak, Johor to ban polystyrene - The Star

19 April 2016

IPOH: Perak and Johor, which are moving towards a ban on polystyrene containers, are encouraging people to use tiffin carriers or other biodegradable containers.

The Perak government has declared a total ban on the usage of polystyrene containers and plastic bags from June next year.

Residents here will have to use biodegradable containers or their own shopping bags then.

Perak Environment Committee chairman Datuk Dr Muhammad Amin Zakaria (BN-Batu Kurau) said the ban would be enforced in stages starting with state government buildings this June, citing that cafeterias there would have to use biodegradable containers every Friday.

“In the second stage, the ban will be extended from weekly to daily, starting January 2017.

“The third stage will take place during the same period at the premises of all local governments in the state.

“Finally, the fourth stage will start in June 2017 when the usage of polystyrene and plastic bags will be banned throughout the state, especially in supermarkets, hypermarkets and sundry stores,” he said at a press conference yesterday.

Muhammad Amin said the ban would be enforced by all local authorities in every district.

“Although the move may seem drastic, this is an issue that the state has been contemplating for a while now. We are indeed serious in eliminating polystyrene and plastic waste, so we decided to implement the ban in stages so that the people are given time to get used to the idea of using their own containers and shopping bags,” he said.

Muhammad Amin said the state would work with the Department of Environment to build more e-waste collection centres so that the waste could be handled in a safe manner.

In Iskandar Puteri, state Health and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat said there would be an announcement on the ban by the end of the year.

For now, consumers in Johor should start bringing their own tiffin carriers or food containers for takeaways.

He said the state authorities were conducting a study before banning the use of plastic and polystyrene containers, acknowledging that this was a delicate issue.

Ayub said plastic and polystyrene containers had been clogging up drains and rivers and even becoming mosquito-breeding grounds.

Speaking to reporters, Ayub said that 80% of the 160 tonnes of the rubbish collected yearly in Sungai Skudai, one of the dirtiest rivers in Johor, was made up of polystyrene and plastic.

He also cautioned that the price of takeaway food should not increase once the ban was enforced.

“Customers may not be happy if they are charged an extra 50 sen for taking away food in biodegradable containers.”

Ayub said the state government wanted to encourage food operators to gradually switch to biodegradable containers.

Both Penang and Malacca have banned the use of polystyrene containers in their states.

Bye bye plastic bags - The Star

30 April 2016 BY T. AVINESHWARANandP. SUBAHSHINI

FOLKS in Perak have lauded the state government’s decision to ban the usage of polystyrene containers and plastic bags beginning in June next year.

Perak Environment Committee Chairman Datuk Dr Muhammad Amin Zakaria said the ban will be enforced in stages starting with state government buildings this June. Cafeterias in the state’s buildings have to use biodegradable containers every Friday.

The second stage will see the ban extended from weekly to daily, starting January 2017.

The third stage, also set for January 2017, will cover the premises of all municipal councils in the state.

The fourth stage, starting June 2017, will see the use of polystyrene and plastic bags banned throughout the state.

For S. Selvamani, 52, enforcing the ban in stages is a good move, as people will have time to adapt to it.

“It is not a sudden move, which is good. It gives the people some breathing space.

“The government certainly sees the need for a cleaner environment, hence the move. Many people these days throw rubbish everywhere especially plastics and polystyrene.”

Having already used recyclable bags and food containers to store or keep things for almost three years, engineer Johan Lau, 34, said it is about time the state government enforced such a move.

“Awareness is also important. The state government, with the help of the Health Ministry and Environment and Natural Resources Ministry should come up with plans to educate the people.

“Enforcement is not enough. Education is important too,” said Lau.

Nur Iwani Rohizat, 20, originally from Penang, feels that the move is right.

“When I was in Penang, the state government there had already imposed a ban on plastic and polystyrene. We got used to it and realised how important the move was.

“Since we had to pay 20 cents for a plastic bag as a part of the ban, we started using our own bags made fabric. It is environmentally friendly.”

Restaurant owner Hoor Chong Yang said rules are rules and they have to be followed when it is implemented

“It is pointless to oppose the ban as it will lead to a better environment and I could actually save some money too since I won’t need to buy plastic bags!” said the 35 year old who lives in Bercham.

However, a grocery store owner, who wished to be known as Thilagar, feels that the move is not going to benefit the community.

“Well, I do support the ban of polystyrenes for food packaging, but it is going to be very difficult if people are not allowed to use plastic bags.

“For example, some of my customers don’t bring their recyclable bags or baskets to shop.

“I will have to charge extra for bags made from recyclable materials and the customers will not be happy if I do that,” he said.

‘Jatuh Cinta Dengan Bahasa Kebangsaan’ - Suara Perak

March 3, 2016

ASALNYA dari keluarga miskin, anak kampung di Tanjung Rambutan kini sudah berjaya mencipta nama sebagai seorang tokoh ilmuan dalam membantu membina masyarakat berilmu.

   Sekali pandang, tiada siapa menyangka Profesor Dr. Richard Ng bukan sahaja mampu menguasai bahasa Melayu dengan baik malah juga turut memahami adat resam orang Melayu.

   Beliau menyedari betapa penguasaan bahasa Melayu atau bahasa kebangsaan itu amat penting sebagai bahasa penghubung di kalangan rakyat Malaysia.

   “Saya adalah anak keempat dari enam beradik yang pernah hidup susah kerana keluarga miskin  dan kami ketika itu tinggal di kampung dan ladang bercampur gaul dengan orang Melayu.

   “Walaupun masih kecil  ketika itu tetapi pemikiran saya matang kerana memahami keadaan ibu bapa saya yang hidup susah sehinggalah saya berazam untuk membantu mereka,” ceritanya ketika ditemui wakil Suara Perak.

Sanggup Masuk Kelas Malam Demi Kuasai Bahasa Melayu

Langkah pertama yang diambilnya ialah memasuki kelas malam bahasa Melayu dan akhirnya dapat menguasai bahasa itu dengan baik, setanding dengan rakan sekampungnya yang terdiri dari anak-anak Melayu.

   “Semasa belajar di Sekolah Rendah Methodist Tanjung Rambutan alirannya adalah bahasa Inggeris dan apabila tamat darjah enam saya mempunyai dua pilihan ketika itu, sama ada sambung belajar di sekolah aliran Inggeris atau aliran Melayu.

   “Akhirnya saya mengambil keputusan memilih untuk belajar di Sekolah Menengah Raja Chulan dengan memasuki kelas peralihan  pada tahun 1970 sehingga ke tingkatan enam tahun 1978.

   “Memasuki sekolah aliran Melayu ini saya rasa semangat satu Malaysia tiada terpinggir langsung semua bangsa bercampur gaul dengan penggunaan bahasa pengantar bahasa Melayu,” katanya.

Beliau menceritakan, selepas tamat tingkatan enam tahun 1978 dengan mendapat sijil penuh tetapi tidak berpeluang melanjutkan pelajaran kerana ketika itu hanya terdapat lima institusi pengajian tinggi maka beliau bekerja sambilan sebagai guru tusyen.

   “Saya mengajar di sebuah madrasah di hospital Tanjung Rambutan kerana waktu itu orang kampung mencari guru matematik yang mahir.

   “Saya merasa amat bangga kerana kesemua anak didik saya berjaya mendapat keputusan cemerlang dalam matematik,” ujarnya.

Melanjutkan Pelajaran  

Memikirkan mengenai masa depannya kerana mengajar sambilan sebagai guru tuisyen tidak menjamin masa depan, Dr Richard mengambil keputusan untuk melanjutkan pelajarannya dalam bidang komputer sehingga akhir berjaya memperolehi diploma.

   Beliau kemudian ditawarkan bekerja sebagai pengurus di Institute Informatic sebelum dilantik sebagai Timbalah Pengarah di institut berkenaan pada tahun 1994 dan seterusnya dihantar bekerja di Singapura pada 1995 sebagai Pengarah Asia Tenggara.

   Pada 1996, beliau pulang semula ke Ipoh dengan memegang jawatan baru sebagai pengarah sebuah kolej perniagaan yang lebih menjurus kepada kursus-kursus perniagaan.

   Katanya, pada tahun 1998 beliau telah mendapat tawaran bekerja sebagai Ketua Eksekutif Kolej Utama Perak di Ipoh sebelum meletakkan jawatan dan menubuhkan kolej Teknologi PIE pada tahun 1999.

Dr Richard kemudian menyambung pelajarannya untuk mendapatkan ijazah di Ottawa Universiti, Amerika Syarikat sebelum pulang ke tanah air dan membuka sebuah kolej perniagaannya sendiri selama empat tahun dari 2000 hingga 2004.

   Kegawatan ekonomi pada waktu itu menyebabkan beliau mengambil keputusan untuk menjual kolejnya dan seterusnya menerima tawaran untuk bekerja sebagai Pengarah Wilayah Wawasan Open University.

   “Selepas setahun bekerja, saya ditawarkan oleh OUM pada 2007 dengan memegang jawatan sebagai Pengarah Wilayah Perak sehingga ke hari ini,” katanya.

   Dr Richard menambah kerana prestasi kerjanya, beliau mendapat biasiswa untuk menyambung pelajaran di peringkat Doktor Falsafah (PhD) dan seterusnya dinaikkan pangkat menjadi Profesor Madya pada 2011.

   Pada tahun 2014, beliau dinaikkan pangkat apabila dilantik sebagai Pengarah Pemasaran Pemasaran Kumpulan untuk menjaga 34 cawangan seluruh Malaysia.

 Aktif Dalam NGO 

 Walaupun kedudukannya kini stabil dan terkenal sebagai seorang tokoh ilmuan, namun  Dr Richard tetap bergerak aktif menerajui sebuah badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) diberi nama Ipoh City Watch (ICW) yang menjadi mata dan telinga kepada pembayar cukai pintu di Bandaraya Ipoh.

   Menurut beliau, ICW sebenarnya bukan NGO baharu, malah sudah wujud pada tahun 2002 tetapi telah dibubarkan oleh pihak pendaftar pertubuhan kerana menyimpang dari matlamat asal penubuhannya.

   “Sebaik mengambil alihnya selepas pembubaran pada tahun 2013, saya memfokuskan badan ini dalam pelbagai kegiatan sosial dan komuniti termasuk pemb ayar cukai pintu sehinggalah ke hari ini,” katanya.

   Pendekatan yang diambil ketika ini ialah berdamping dengan masyarakat untuk mengesan permasalahan mereka.

   “Kita mengambil pendekatan tiga prinsip iaitu mendampingi masyarakat, memahami permasalahan mereka dan mengajar atau membimbing mereka bagi menangani masalah itu,” ujarnya.

   Beliau memberikan contoh tentang isu pembayaran cukai dimana masyarakat diajar supaya melaksanakan tanggungjawab membayar cukai dan jangan hanya pandai menyalahkan kerajaan.

   “Jangan hanya pandai menyalahkan kerajaan sahaja tetapi sebagai warga Ipoh, kita juga seharusnya memberikan idea dan cadangan untuk membangunkan Bandaraya Ipoh,” tambahnya.

   Menurut Dr Richard, antara pencapaian yang dibuat oleh ICW ialah mendapat tajaan membina papan tanda (billboard) dengan mesej yang jelas iaitu `Kebersihan Bandaraya Ipoh Tanggungjawab Kita Bersama’.

   Selain itu, katanya, ICW telah dikenali ramai apabila menjadi NGO yang menjalin kerjasama dengan Perbadanan Sisa Pepejal Perak (SWCORP) dalam melaksanakan Program Komuniti berupa projek Komuniti Kitar Semula pertama di Malaysia iaitu di Jelapang Tambahan yang dilancarkan oleh Exco kerajaan negeri, YB Dato’ Rusnah Kassim pada 4 April lalu.

   “Ramai orang bertanya kepada saya mengapa dibuat projek itu di kawasan pembangkang tetapi saya memberitahu mereka, sama ada kawasan pembangkang atau kawasan BN yang penting kita turun padang bersama dengan masyarakat bagi menjayakan program komuniti ini,” katanya.

   Beliau memberitahu, program tersebut yang dihadiri hampir 200 penduduk telah berjaya menghasilkan 1,376 bahan kitar semula daripada bahan longgokan sampah haram.